Prostate cancer is currently treated by surgery, radiation, ultrasound, and hormonal therapy which blocks the secretion of testosterone and other androgens (hormones that control the development and maintenance of male characteristics) by the testes. Unfortunately in most cases after a remission of two to three years most patients on hormonal therapy progress to terminal cancer, a progression that is believed to be due at least in part to the production of androgens by tissues outside of the testes. Abiraterone acetate works by blocking the enzyme cytochrome p45017alpha that is involved in the production of androgens, including those produced by tissues outside the testes.

New trials are now planned to determine if abiraterone acetate can help men with less advanced prostate cancer, if it can then it may be able to offer prostate cancer patients extra years, rather than months, of life.